Rug and area carpet cleaning

ByRichard Lee-Costello

•

31 Oct, 2016

•

How we get your rugs and area carpets looking their best again (Southampton, Portsmouth, Fareham, Eastleigh and Winchester areas)

With hard flooring commonplace in homes now, rugs are becoming extremely popular for both warmth and aesthetic purposes.
Rugs can range from a standard polypropylene/wool rug to a hand dyed, hand
knotted rug worth thousands of pounds. rugs can become one of the focal points
of a room so it is important to look after the rug keeping it clean and free
from dirt, sand and the pollutants we bring in from the outside environment.
These factors can dull the colours of the rug and make the rug look tired, worn
and old. Regular vacuuming is a must (but be careful around those fringes),
however dirt can become ingrained and require specialist cleanings, this can be
done by yourself if you are confident enough but there are many pitfalls such
as dyes running, fibre damage, shrinkage etc. We have cleaned many types of
rugs and have undergone professional training to ensure we get the right
results for you.

This is a guide to how we at Clean-my
Carpets and Upholstery go about cleaning rugs:

Step
one (most important)

Firstly, we identify the kind of material
that has been used in the making of the rug. Berber, Oriental or
Persian rugs are made from diverse materials including wool, silk, &
viscose. Each material used requires specific method for cleaning as
well as cleaning materials and cleaning technique. We use foam cleaners,
powder cleaners, and shampoos. Rugs are principally hard to clean and
susceptible to significant damage if not properly cleaned. Many issues affect
the cleaning of rugs; rugs are vulnerable to fading, dye migration (bleeding)
and color transfers for which we always test, we also check the surrounding
area to ensure we use the right protection for the flooring which it lays on if
we carry out the clean on site.

Step
two:

The back of the rug is vacuumed and beaten
to remove dust from the rear but also to shake out as much dirt and dust from
the front, this is one of the most important steps. The front is then
thoroughly vacuumed.

Step
three:

Stains which have been left a while make
them harder to clean as it would have set in into the fabric. We test the rug
cleaning agents on a small part of the rug before applying the agents on the
rug. This will indicate if the rug reacts to the cleaning chemical thus
avoiding further damage to that already caused by the stain.

Step
four:

We then clean using the correct method,
technique and the right cleaning agents getting your rug as clean as possible
whilst preventing/minimising shrinkage. As most rugs are pre-washed, they are
pre-shrunk before you purchase them, we take great care in our techniques to
avoid any further shrinkage.

Step
five:

We use the most effective rinsing agent which
is safe for the type of fabric to rinse out all the cleaning agents previously
applied. The agents we use neautralise and re-balance the PH of natural fibres
to ensure longevity of your rug. Should it be required the rug maybe re-cleaned
at this point.

Step
six:

We dry your rug in the most effective way
including for example using turbo drying them using blowers. We always set the
pile to how it should be to ensure a thorough dry as well as giving the rug it’s
be appearance.

Step
seven:

Your rug is thoroughly inspected and is
tested to ensure the PH is correct for the type of fibre, we will go through
everything with you to ensure you are happy with the results and that you would
recommend us to others.

At Clean-my Carpets and Upholstery we take
great care to ensure that you get the right results from any cleaning service
we provide. We always come out to inspect and survey everything before cleaning
giving us both a chance to ask any questions and give an accurate quote as well
as a projected outcome for any stains etc. As well as area carpet cleaning in
Southampton, Persian rug cleaning in Portsmouth, wool rug/carpet cleaning in
Fareham we also off these other great services:

Professional Carpet, Upholstery and Rug Cleaning blog in the Southampton, Portsmouth, Fareham and Eastleigh areas

Hi, as a hay fever sufferer myself, I know
what a pain allergies are, they can be the bane of any
adult’s or child’s home life. With constant sneezing,itchy, watery eyes, and a runny, itchy nose
are the usual symptoms of allergies and the most common causes of allergies are
pollen, dust mites and other allergens like dander, which is flakes from our
pet’s skin and fur. Compared to a wood floor where allergens are free to just
float around, carpets in our home offer a great filter and trap to hold those allergy
causes, as with any filter they need cleaning.

Most people consider cleaning their carpets
when they look bad and dirty. This is a bad habit and most microbes, micro
particles and pollutants lodged in the carpet are not visible to naked eye. Poorly
maintained and neglected carpets significantly deteriorate the air quality, to
keep on top of this it is recommended that you get your carpets cleaned at
least every twelve to eighteen months ( https://shawfloors.com/flooring/how-to/carpet/carpet-care-maintenance/carpet-cleaning
).

So how can we clean our carpets and avoid
aggravating our allergies?

DIY vacuum carpet cleaning

Although we can try to use a broom to sweep
away dirt and dust, sweeping has a tendency to just disturb and stir them
up. Vacuuming can remove most of the dust and dirt but we have to be
careful that the vacuum cleaner does not inadvertently discharge the same
allergens it sucks up. It is recommended that the carpet be vacuumed
every week and the vacuum cleaner should have a small-particle or HEPA
(high-efficiency particulate air) filter. The vacuum cleaner’s bags
should also be of a special, double thickness. It is also more effective
to shampoo the carpet but this is a method that should be done only by
professionals to keep your carpet over wetting which may cause mould growth.

Professional hot water extraction

Hot water extraction is a professional
carpet cleaning service
in which the carpet is pre-sprayed to disperse the dust
and soil that has been ingrained into the carpet’s fibres. Your carpet is
then treated with a fibre rinse which leaves no residues and hot water which
are driven into the carpet at a high pressure, and at the same time, a powerful
vacuum sucks up the hot water together with all the released dust, mud and
allergens. For more info about this process click here

For most allergy sufferers though, even the
task of vacuuming their carpet exacerbates their allergies. But, not to
worry, we at Clean-my Carpets and Upholstery can help. We provide professional
carpet cleaning, deodorising and carpet stains removal services. Call us
today on 01489 600571 for a fresher carpet and a healthier home.

Clean-my carpets and upholstery also offers
an allergy protection
service for your whole home in the Southampton,
Eastleigh, Fareham, Portsmouth areas inc. carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning
, curtain cleaning , mattress cleaning . All our protective treatments are
confirmed for their suitability for home textiles and have no irritation to
skin or any other side effects, RCC Research & Consulting Co p.Nos. 618783
278875

We clean rugs and area carpets in Southampton and Portsmouth
and all surrounding areas, whilst rugs have practical uses such as reducing
echoes, adding warmth to the room and adding comfort, they can also be
considered works of art used to decorate your home. It is important to keep
your rug as clean as possible to keep it looking it’s best and reducing the
chances of damage, Clean-my Carpets and Upholstery have came up with some great
tips to keep your rug looking great:

Get professional carpet and rug
cleaners
to regularly give your rug a deep clean, using the correct cleaning
method for your particular rug.

Although rugs generally do not
fade easily, continual exposure to strong sunlight can weaken the quality and
colour of your rug over time. Keep them away from direct sunlight or use
coverings on your windows like drapes or blinds.

The rug will eventually show
some wear so turn your rug every few months to make the wear patterns equal on
all sides.

Straighten out folds, curls or
ripples as these can cause premature wear.

Rug pads or cushions are
recommended to protect the rug from the floor. They also make the rug feel more
comfortable and help prevent the rug from slipping and sliding.

When storing the rug, wrap it
with protective plastic, keep it in a clean, dry area and away from the floor.

Treating stains, any method you
use to remove stains depends on the type of stain. Pre-test the cleaning
solution first on an inconspicuous area of the rug. If you want to avoid
risking your rug, it would be better to consult professional cleaners
immediately after accidents or spills.

Faithfully follow these tips
and your beautiful rug will stand the test of time.

Because unwanted dirt, dust, and mites from
build up inside your carpet which could lead to further problems, professional
carpet cleaning
is a service to prevent this. Whilst regular vacuuming helps
pick up dry dirt, for proper maintenance at least once a year your carpets need
cleaning by a company with professional high powered machines which reach deep
into the pile of the carpet along with the use of professional cleaning
products clear lodged dirt and mites which could be living in your carpets.

Here
are some other reasons:

Should you have pets which are full of life
and love running around outside, unfortunately they don’t wash their own feet
and walk right into your home bringing the garden in with them. Also, your pet
will pee anywhere including your carpet which if left can cause stains and odour
if left, and pet hair can build up in areas not regularly maintained.

Whilst having children is great, they do
have their mishaps spilling paint, food, drink, etc. onto your carpet. These
incidents all add up to damage your carpet over time and can cause embarrassment
when you have visitors.

Old carpets whilst having character, maybe
in need of some cleaning restoration. DIY solutions could cause further damage
whilst an experienced and trained professional will know which method and
chemicals to use to get the right result whist protecting the long Gevity of
your carpet

Professionals are more aware of the proper
carpet cleaning methods than anyone. They usually use a hot water extraction
method which penetrates into the fibres of your carpet and is extracted back
out. Rinsing the carpet fibres of any detergents and without leaving any dirt.
As mentioned different methods can also be used depending on the carpet
including Low Moisture and Dry Carpet Cleaning

Nothing is going to harm your carpet more
than not getting professionals to clean it. All you have to do is call our
number 01489 600571 and we will be happy to solve all your carpet cleaning Portsmouth
and Southampton areas requirements.

Below are some tips to get stains out of your carpets, always try on inconspicuous area first and if in doubt please call a professional carpet cleaner
.

Clean-my carpet
stain removal tips:

Juice stains

Use a dry white cloth to gently blot the
spill. Continue dabbing gently until most of the liquid
disappears. Take care not to rub the stain further into the
carpet. If the spill has dried, lightly moisten the area with water
before blotting.

Next, if the stain is not completely gone,
apply a mixture of one teaspoon lanolin-free, bleach-free dishwashing
detergent and one cup of warm water. Apply onto the stain and resume
blotting.

Rinse the area by spraying lightly with water
and blot again. Finally, allow to dry.

Pet Stains

For droppings stains, pick up any solids with
an old spoon first before dealing with the stain itself.

For urine stains, use the blotting method
similar to juice stains. In cases where the stain already dried and was
absorbed by the carpet, apply a cleaning solution and then blot until the
stain is gone. One homemade cleaning solution you can use to
neutralize the odor is a mixture of one part vinegar and two parts water.

Next, clean up the stain by applying a
solution of one teaspoon of the dishwashing detergent and one liter of
water. Blot the stain lightly, and once the stain fades, spray the area
with water to remove the cleaning solution residue and then blot
again. Lastly, spray the area with water, then pile paper towels and
a brick on top.

Coffee Stains

Gently blot the liquid until most of it is
absorbed by the dry white cloth or white paper towels. Collect any
solids with an old spoon.

Apply the dishwashing detergent solution or
vinegar solution and patiently blot. Then, spray the area a few times with
water, and blot until dry.

Blood Stains

Use the blotting method to remove the fresh
stain as much as possible.

The best cleaning solution for this type of
stain is the dishwashing detergent mixture. Apply and blot away.

Don’t forget to rinse out the cleaning
solution by spraying a little warm water, and blotting again.

With hard flooring commonplace in homes now, rugs are becoming extremely popular for both warmth and aesthetic purposes.
Rugs can range from a standard polypropylene/wool rug to a hand dyed, hand
knotted rug worth thousands of pounds. rugs can become one of the focal points
of a room so it is important to look after the rug keeping it clean and free
from dirt, sand and the pollutants we bring in from the outside environment.
These factors can dull the colours of the rug and make the rug look tired, worn
and old. Regular vacuuming is a must (but be careful around those fringes),
however dirt can become ingrained and require specialist cleanings, this can be
done by yourself if you are confident enough but there are many pitfalls such
as dyes running, fibre damage, shrinkage etc. We have cleaned many types of
rugs and have undergone professional training to ensure we get the right
results for you.

This is a guide to how we at Clean-my
Carpets and Upholstery go about cleaning rugs:

Step
one (most important)

Firstly, we identify the kind of material
that has been used in the making of the rug. Berber, Oriental or
Persian rugs are made from diverse materials including wool, silk, &
viscose. Each material used requires specific method for cleaning as
well as cleaning materials and cleaning technique. We use foam cleaners,
powder cleaners, and shampoos. Rugs are principally hard to clean and
susceptible to significant damage if not properly cleaned. Many issues affect
the cleaning of rugs; rugs are vulnerable to fading, dye migration (bleeding)
and color transfers for which we always test, we also check the surrounding
area to ensure we use the right protection for the flooring which it lays on if
we carry out the clean on site.

Step
two:

The back of the rug is vacuumed and beaten
to remove dust from the rear but also to shake out as much dirt and dust from
the front, this is one of the most important steps. The front is then
thoroughly vacuumed.

Step
three:

Stains which have been left a while make
them harder to clean as it would have set in into the fabric. We test the rug
cleaning agents on a small part of the rug before applying the agents on the
rug. This will indicate if the rug reacts to the cleaning chemical thus
avoiding further damage to that already caused by the stain.

Step
four:

We then clean using the correct method,
technique and the right cleaning agents getting your rug as clean as possible
whilst preventing/minimising shrinkage. As most rugs are pre-washed, they are
pre-shrunk before you purchase them, we take great care in our techniques to
avoid any further shrinkage.

Step
five:

We use the most effective rinsing agent which
is safe for the type of fabric to rinse out all the cleaning agents previously
applied. The agents we use neautralise and re-balance the PH of natural fibres
to ensure longevity of your rug. Should it be required the rug maybe re-cleaned
at this point.

Step
six:

We dry your rug in the most effective way
including for example using turbo drying them using blowers. We always set the
pile to how it should be to ensure a thorough dry as well as giving the rug it’s
be appearance.

Step
seven:

Your rug is thoroughly inspected and is
tested to ensure the PH is correct for the type of fibre, we will go through
everything with you to ensure you are happy with the results and that you would
recommend us to others.

At Clean-my Carpets and Upholstery we take
great care to ensure that you get the right results from any cleaning service
we provide. We always come out to inspect and survey everything before cleaning
giving us both a chance to ask any questions and give an accurate quote as well
as a projected outcome for any stains etc. As well as area carpet cleaning in
Southampton, Persian rug cleaning in Portsmouth, wool rug/carpet cleaning in
Fareham we also off these other great services:

Over Christmas and New Year our homes are used more with all the family and friends around to celebrate the occasion, why not get your carpets and upholstery cleaned and freshened up in time. We are now taking bookings for pre-christmas cleans.

With all the extra footfall your carpets will endure or the accidentally spilt drink on the sofa, your carpets and upholstery need protection. Our stain protection offers resistance to stains and spills, prolongs the life of the fibres and also protects against dust mites, carpet beetles and moths.

Clean-my Carpets and Upholstery are now recommended carpet cleaners in Southampton, upholstery cleaners in Portsmouth, rug cleaning in Fareham and mattress cleaning in Eastleigh by Trading Standards

Dust mites live off human skin scales which
have been partially digested by moulds. They are about ¼ milimetre in length
and thrive in humid environments such as beds, carpets, upholstery fabrics and
clothing. It’s the dust mites droppings which most people are allergic to, each
mite produces 20 droppings a day and the proteins in these cause allergic
symptoms. These allergic symptoms may become more heightened if you suffer with Hay fever
so eradicating the mites could improve your suffering during the
summer months.

Asthma eczema and perennial allergic
rhinitis are all associated with dust mite allergy, most exposure happens in
bed, so it is important to wash bedding regularly. Also allergy proof bedding
can also help along with our Mattress Medic service which cleans the mattress
to remove all droppings and an allergy shield is sprayed on to kill all dust mites
and bed bugs and also protects the mattress from coming back.

Carpets and upholstery should be vacuumed
two or three times a week in order to keep levels to a minimum. Very high
temperatures can also kill the dust mites, we offer a full steam carpet clean
to not only kill the dust mites, but get your carpets and upholstery clean
again. We also offer a specialist protection for your carpets and upholstery
which has a double action of resisting stains as well as killing not only dust
mites, also carpet beetle and carpet moth.

Vacuum
your carpet regularly
, daily for busy households.
Grit and dirt collect at the base of fibres on carpets and can become abrasive.
Over time the action of walking on the carpet cause particles to grind away
your pile resulting in premature wear. We
use an upright vacuum with a powered brushed roller as part of our 10 step
cleaning process
, this type of vacuum is one which we recommend for
extending the life of your carpets. The powered brushed roller dislodges and
removes damaging grit and soiling by agitating the carpet pile. For long pile
and looped pile carpet we recommend using the suction head only due to possible
damage caused by the roller.

Repositioning
Furniture
from time to time minimizes the effect of
sun fade, this also change where people walk on the carpet preventing excess
wear on one area only.

When
dealing with stains
the most important action to
take is to react quickly! Never rub as this will push the liquid or substance
further into the carpet, blot liquid stains and scrape substance (food) up with
a spoon first. Only ever lightly dampen the area with plain or soda water as
over wetting can spread the stain. Continue blotting with kitchen roll until
all the stain is removed
. If you do have an unfortunate accident call us on
01489 600571, we can advise you on what to do.

When
cleaning an area of carpet
, we would advise not to
use soap or detergents, this is due the the residue which is left behind can
become sticky and attract further soiling creating dark patches on your carpet.
We use professional carpet cleaning chemicals and powerful machines to extract
what we clean your carpets in Southampton and Portsmouth areas with.

Protective
treatments
should be applied by professional carpet
cleaning companies as this shields the fabric by repelling soil and liquid
preventing absorption. When properly protected any spillages will puddle on top
of the carpet giving you time to grab something to blot the spillage with. Clean-my Carpets and Upholstery
offer a full service from clean, stain removal
to protecting your carpets professionally.

In today’s fast paced society, we all want
to stay healthy as there is always someplace we have to be or something we need
to be doing, therefore we have no time to be sick. To stay healthy, we focus on
washing our hands regularly, keeping our carpets
and homes clean. There is one place where
we spend most of our time, in fact a third of our lives is spent sleeping, and every
time we clean our homes we often forget to clean one of the most important
things. That thing is our mattress. We produce up to half a litre of sweat
every night & shed about a gram of skin each day and although we wear night
clothes, which we wash regularly, together with our bed linen, this is no
protection against what happens to the mattress.

Without cleaning, your mattress
can become
the dirtiest place in your home and become host to a multitude of horrors. Any
spills which are not cleaned up can create a build up of mildew, as well mould spores
come into our home every day either on us or through open windows. Also, it is
estimated that there are up to 2 million house dust mites living in a mattress
and in an average pillow, 10% of its weight is made up of dead skin and dust
mites. A buildup of spores, dust mites and their excrement have been medically
proven to trigger a whole host of allergic reactions, from Asthma, Eczema and
Bronchitis, to Itchy Eyes and Sneezing.

If you find yourself waking up with bites
on your body you may have bed bugs, these come into your home on clothes,
suitcases etc. They then bury themselves in your mattress. They then proceed to
bite you while you sleep. If you do have bed bugs, then calling a professional
is the most guaranteed way of getting rid of them.

It is important to vacuum your mattress on
a regular basis, at least every 3 months. Should you require a deeper clean and
full sanitization why not look at our mattress cleaning Southampton
and
surrounding areas service which also gets your mattress cleaner in Winchester

All professional carpet cleaners will use a
variety of cleaning chemicals and methods depending on soiling, stains and type
of fibre. The WoolSafe mark is an endorsement that the product bearing it has
passed the necessary tests to the highest standards set by the WoolSafe
Organisation.

At Clean-my Carpets and Upholstery South
Hampshire
, we use Woolsafe products on wool carpet cleaning
in Southampton as
well as any other surrounding areas. WoolSafe products have been independently
tested and shown to be suitable and safe for use on wool. Used correctly, it
diminishes the likelihood of colour bleeding, bleaching, rapid soiling or fibre
damage, and consequentially the risk of potentially expensive customer
complaints.

We
use accredited Prochem Woolsafe products which have gone through over twenty different
tests including the assessment of the product’s cleaning and spot removal
performance, and ensuring it does not have any detrimental effects on wool
carpets in terms of colour fastness, quick resoiling, fibre damage or odour (Prochem
Cleaning Specialist Issue 22, 2010 p.12).

If you have wool carpets it is recommended that
you use Woolsafe products to prolong their life and quality, if you have any
further questions call us on 07773655075.